Gospel Newsletter

West Hepburn Ave. Church of Christ

3907 W. Hepburn Ave
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
July 2009

Idols Why people give up on good things?

(1 John 5:21) Some solutions to consider
Abraham Smith
Earnest Jones Jr.
In today's times, many good efforts have been
We are called dear children and are commanded started and then abandoned. Churches have
to keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21). An initiated efforts to save the lost, but they stopped.
idol is an image or a carved image that can be People have given up on themselves. Students have
placed in the mind, can be physical, or material. A given up on their education. Husbands and wives
person can simply look upon another's beauty and have given up on their marriages. Children of God
physical appearance and idolize that person. One have given up on doing the will of God. Children
can idolize another for their talent or talents and of God have given up the faith. Both Elijah and
never mention to that person about Christ. There Paul were tempted to quit serving the Lord (1
have been many famous and renowned people that Kings 19; 2 Cor. 1:8-11). Why do people give up?
have idolized themselves going down in history, Here are some reasons:
yet dying in their sins choosing not to acknowledge
the one true God, the Father through Jesus Christ 1. We forget how important our cause is.
the son that bought them to do all things that are Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the
good, acceptable, and pleasing to him. There will importance of the things to which we have
be many more that follow that same way (2 Peter committed ourselves. Jesus remembered this in
2:1) One can easily idolize without even being recognizing His commitment to die for the sins of
aware that they have idolized or are idolizing the world (John 12:27). Additionally, we need to
something or someone, but at the same time it remember the importance of keeping
doesn't make it acceptable to the one true God. commitments. As God
Even with material things, we must also be careful honors His promise to
about those things that God the Father has given us us by giving us the gift
to enjoy, and must not idolize them by over of eternal life, so should In This Issue
indulging. Instead, we should focus our hearts and we honor all the
minds on things that will keep our hearts pure (Phil commitments we make
4:8) and understand that we can never do too much in our lives. God's
good for one another. We should always be gracious gift, which is
mindful of our blessings, and continue to put our conditionally received,
honored Christ's • Idols (1 John 5:21)
trust in God and not riches, keeping ourselves from
idols. (1 Timothy 6:17-19) commitment to the will
of God. Likewise, we
should honor our • Why people give up
commitments to Him on good things?
Feel Free To Mail Us A Letter or Email Us: when we agree to walk Some solutions to
as He walked and to consider. (Part 1)
[email protected] participate in the life He
demands of us (Lk.
Visit Us On the Web: www.hepburncoc.org 6:46).
 2. We have not conditioned our hearts to face for us need to hear on a regular basis, "I appreciate
difficult challenges. Ezra prepared his heart (Ezra the great job you are doing." When we express and
7:10). Anything that is worth having often cannot show our gratitude for the meaningful things they
be achieved without paying a great price. We must do for us, we are encouraging them to continue.
begin our task with the realization that there will Our duty to encourage others is not a one-time
be some difficulties ahead, and we should expect deal. "But exhort one another daily, while it is
them! "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in called ''Today,'' lest any of you be hardened
Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12). through the deceitfulness of sin" (Heb. 3:13).
Whether someone does beneficial things for us or
3. We do not attempt to succeed with all our might someone is experiencing difficulties, we should
(2 Chron. 31:21; Jer. 48:10; Col. 3:23; Eccl. 9:10). regularly inquire about how he is doing. We should
Sometimes goals cannot be achieved without us offer our support, advice, and assistance where
giving all we can give. "Whatever your hand finds possible and permissible.
to do, do it with your might" (Eccl. 9:10). Jesus
said, "So likewise, whoever of you does not 8. We do not focus on the rewards of our efforts (1
forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple" Cor. 15: 58; Heb. 6:10-12). The reward of a
(Luke 14:33). faithful life is heaven. "And let us not grow weary
while doing good, for in due season we shall reap
4. We do not lay aside every weight and every sin. if we do not lose heart" (Gal. 6:9).
We cannot carry on with extra weight and sin
(Heb. 12:1, 2). Our sins destroy our faith, which "is 9. We have not noticed that others with fewer
the victory that has overcome the world" (1 John advantages have succeeded. Jesus stated that
5:4). Nineveh had repented at the preaching of Jonah,
but someone greater than Jonah, Himself, was
5. We focus too much on our failures or there (Matt 12:41). The author of Hebrews, in
shortcomings. We must forget the past and press on chapter 11, listed many men of faith who had
with the future. Paul said, "Forgetting those things suffered many things. Then he said, "You have not
which are behind and reaching forward to those yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin"
things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for (Heb. 12:4). Many have made far more sacrifices
the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" with fewer advantages than we. Shall we with
(Phil. 3:13-14). If we do not forget the past, we more opportunities and less challenges do less than
will be discouraged. they have done?
6. We do not learn from our own mistakes or the 10. Children of God forget the words of Jesus,
mistakes of others (I Cor. 10:6, 11; Jude 5). As a "But with God all things are possible" (Matt.
result, we experience the same result of failure, and 19:26). We ought to agree with Paul, "I can do all
then become discouraged and quit. Paul reminded things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil.
the Corinthians that they must learn from the 4:13). The song says, "Have we trials and
failures of those in Moses' day (1 Cor10:1-11). temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should
These things are written to the intent that we do not never be discouraged; Take it to the Lord in
fall after the same example of unbelief and lust for prayer." Peter admonished Christians to cast all
evil things. their care upon the Lord, "for He cares for you" (1
7. We do not receive any encouragement, but Pet. 5:7). "Let us therefore come boldly to the
ridicule. We must remember that we have a throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find
responsibility to compliment others when they do grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).
well (1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 10:24). Those of us who
are weak and have problems need to hear the Tune In To Our Radio Broadcast:
words, "You can make it if you try!" "I'm here for Sundays 4:30 PM
you!" "Don't give up!"
Concerning the assembly, Christians were AM 1090 KAAY - Radio
admonished, "encouraging one another; and all the or
more as you see the day drawing near" (Heb.
10:25). Those individuals who do beneficial things
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